killacam
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Posts posted by killacam
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Umteen million ESPs for low pitch stops, takes forever to get off the LRF zone, loves to call themselves the "Super Hercules" when calling on common upon entering the SR route, can't do a no-flap for training, tells you that you oversped anything by 1 knot, minus 2 thinking brains in the front end, and still let a lowly E model beat all of them at the last Rodeo.
B. As for the ALZ issue, dunno about that one. Operator issues, I guess. I clear the ALZ just as fast in a J as I do in the E or H.
The 48th has J studs doing assault zone landings from the left seat on their school house dollar rides. This includes bros straight out of UPT with no Legacy/ALZ/NVG experience other than what they picked up in the sim.
As you can imagine, this leads to some nervous tiller-less right seat IPs when it comes to energy management vs brake heating vs steering and I'm sure is the cause of the oh-so-many LZ go arounds at LRF.
There's my off-topic $0.02!
Break, Break...
Back on topic: Had a bro with no skeletons (just bad timing/luck) who is a young AD legacy FP at LRF who was called in and told he drew the short straw for his name to be submitted as a non-vol to RPAs. He was given a list of available openings to fill out on the spot with school house start dates ranging from Mar-Sep. Next day, he was told he dodged the bullet because someone else volunteered for the opening. FWIW
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I'd be interested in one of these if we could do some kind of a baseops group buy. Maybe something simple, like basic pilot wings engraved on the back... Anyone else? Looks like we'd need a list of 10-15 names, assuming they still offer this.
Interested.
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The only caveat to the valsalva maneuver is that if you do have a cold and perform the valsalva, some of the crap in the back of your throat can get into the Eustachian tube and cause other middle ear problems, like otitis media.
It's not that common for it to happen though, just FWIW.
Attempted to valsalva my ears clear but it definitely feels like I've got mucus or whatever caught in my eustachian tubes. Not painful at all and it doesn't affect my flying abilities, but my hearing is definitely at a < 75% level.
BL: Is it dangerous to fly with the clogged up (due to liquid) ears? Will it clear up on its own? I'd prefer not go to DNIF considering there's no discomfort on ascent or descent...
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After searching I felt this was the appropriate thread... What happens after the 10 years? Is it expected to continue flying because pilots are commissioned officers? Is it bad to get out after 10 years because of that? As I understand it, commissioned officers are never really out but I'd like to learn what that really means and how it relates to the 10 year commitment.
Thanks for any info
Here are a couple of stories from two years ago that address pilot retention at the 10 year point.
http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/10/airforce_pilot_bonus_092208/
http://formerspook.blogspot.com/2008/10/rebuilding-air-force-retention.html
Highlights:
Fewer fighter pilots taking re-up bonus
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Oct 21, 2008 19:46:40 EDT
Almost two-thirds of pilots eligible to sign up for the $125,000 pilot bonus are agreeing to stay in the Air Force for five more years. But only 57 percent of fighter pilots are opting to stay. Just 33 percent of eligible Raptor pilots and 49 percent of eligible Warthog pilots have decided to take the bonus.
The numbers for the Raptor are puzzling, given that it is the jewel of the fleet and a prized assignment, but Lt. Col. Dewey DuHadway, chief of rated force policy, noted that only 15 F-22A pilots became eligible for the bonus this fiscal year, which began in October 2007. It’s hard to draw conclusions from such a small sample, he said.
The Air Force Manpower Agency is developing a questionnaire to ask pilots what factors proved decisive on why they accepted or rejected the bonus.
DuHadway said he suspects frequent deployments and high operational tempo are the main issues, because many of the pilots eligible for the bonus started their operational careers in 2001.
Eight in 10 air battle managers, who fly in the back of the service’s large command-and-control aircraft, are signing up for their $75,000 bonus and promising to stay another five years.
By the end of August, 64.5 percent of the 764 pilots who reached the end of their eight-year service commitment this fiscal year had accepted the bonus. Another 109 pilots became eligible in September, the last month of the fiscal 2008 program.
At the start of the 2008 program, service officials predicted a take rate of about 60 percent. During 2007, 67 percent took the offer...
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Jughead, can you clarify that you have seen first-hand an individual with a DLPT score on the books get non-vol'd for something? From what I have seen of the way the Air Force (mis)manages these programs, it often puts an individual through a year or more of language training instead of tapping someone that already has the proficiency. I know many people that have high DLPT scores in high demand languages (including Arabic) that often get volunteer solicitations, but have never been forced into anything.
I'm awaiting pilot training and I speak and understand two of the Immediate Investment languages well enough to get paid. The thing is, both languages are widely spoken in the so-called shithole countries like Pakistan, India and the Middle East in general so I'm a little apprehensive about getting these tests on my record.
BL: Although it might not be desirable to get pulled out of flying duties to pull tours in the sandbox, have you guys seen these assignments help or hurt careers? Just trying to decide whether or not the pros outweigh the cons...
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However, as a trade-off, I respectfully request the users of the forums assist me in updating several out-of-date sections of the site:
2.) AFOQT
I've uploaded word document versions of the above three webpages and ask that users edit those documents (please indicate changes in RED FONT) and re-post the attachments on this thread. Thanks in advance and I look forward to a current website and a popular chatroom.
v/r
BASEOPS
I've got what looks like some solid gouge on the AFOQT from when I was still a cadet-- It was distributed during the Fall 2009 semester and it definitely looks current. Maybe someone who's good at this kind of stuff can figure out a good way to integrate the new/relevant information in the attached Word document onto the BO website. The PDF looks like it could simply be linked to as a downloadable packet.
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So just got my PDT assignment for this summer. Got my second choice which is Ops-AF...wanted SOAR but heard only 12 slots were given for that this year. Anyways my question is this, my freshmen year I went on the OPS-AF PDT to Mountain Home, AFB as a freshmen in ROTC going into my 200 year. This time I'm headed down to Keesler, AFB but as a POC this time. My cadre told me that this is a different program since I am a POC this time and that I would have a 'leadership' role there instead of being a regular cadet like I was my first time. But I've been looking around trying to find anywhere that this might be explained but I can't find anything. Any help would be great.
I did Ops AF OSI at Keesler AFB last summer and it was awesome. There was only 1 other cadet on the same PDT as me and we spent most of our "off-duty time" at the local casinos/bars/clubs.
Since we were both pilot selects on an OSI PDT, we had the SAC (Maj) at our host OSI unit hook us up with all the flying squadrons on base and we got plenty of incentive flights. Not sure if you'll be in the same boat. PM me if you want more information.
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The biggest rub is that there was nowhere near as much coverage in 2008 when Ford had to recall 12 million vehicles due to a cruise-control switch catching fire. As a matter of fact, the top six recalls of all time were American-built cars. The 2.3 million cars affected by the Toyota recall doesn't even make the top ten list of recalls! #10 is the 1987 Ford recall of 3.6 million vehicles, which affected 1.3 million more vehicles than the Toyota recall!
I agree with you to an extent but I'm seeing very different estimates of exactly how many cars have been recalled. The OP's news story claims 8.5 million worldwide recalls with over 6 million in the US. If that's true, it would at least be in the top 4 of the top 10 list you posted. Where'd you get your number of 2.3 million cars number M2? Just wondering.
On a related note, my pops is in the market for a replacement to his '01 Camry and is debating whether to pay a lil extra for the peace of mind and roll over to Honda for the new Accord or pick up the 2010 Camry. Opinions?
I also called the insurance company to check the rates on the new Camrys and they haven't changed any of their charges since the Toyota recalls went public.
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Wow...close to home, will be keeping my ear out on this one.
Stupid question from an FNG... do student pilots ever wear the poopy suit for any sorties at UPT/Navy equivalent?
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Do any of you here wish you had not joined the Air Force/AFRES/ANG and become a civilian pilot instead? In your opinion does military aviation beat civilian aviation? (Keep in mind I'm asking in your opinion, not in general).
For me, I don't regret it for a second. I wouldn't have it any other way, and in fact if I can find a way to feed the family while never having to fly commercial aircraft, that'd be great by me.
Allow me to add to CF's question:
It is my understanding that back in the pre-9/11 days a lot of AF pilots were being pulled into more lucrative careers flying commercially for the big name airliners once their initial 10 year ADSC was up (hence the bonus). Where are ex-AF pilots going these days? Surely the commercial airliners are not as attractive as they were back in the day.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not looking for an out-- I foresee myself as a 20 year guy at the least... just hoping for some words of wisdom on what life after the AF is like from some dudes who are a lot closer than me.
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I have my iPhone unlocked...wondering if I can get a Qtel or vodaphone sim card with a data plan while I'm over there. Anyone messed around with an iPhone at the Died?
Here's what I got from someone who lives there. Hope it helps...
I think Qtel has launched a plan that works with the iPhone, but I know for sure that Vodaphone has released the iPhone over here and I think he can get a legit plan with them. If I were your friend, I would look at what Qtel has to offer first because they are better, but if they don't have anything then I know that Vodaphone will be there.
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I have my iPhone unlocked...wondering if I can get a Qtel or vodaphone sim card with a data plan while I'm over there. Anyone messed around with an iPhone at the Died?
I have some cousins in Qatar and every time I visit from the US, they ask me to bring the latest unlocked US iPhone for them so that they can use it with QTel.
From what I remember, QTel doesn't really sell a "data plan" as we know it in the US. Everyone pays individually for incoming/outgoing texts. Maybe things have changed since QTel doesn't have a monopoly anymore-- I'll dig around some more and find out the details from them
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For all you two year hopefuls out there-- I made it through the program in 4 semesters flat (Spring08 - Fall09). Became categorized as a pilot select after my second semester and even served as CTW/CC in my final semester. It's totally possible if you walk in with all your shit squared away and really put forth 100% effort.
Of course timing, location, and my degree course were in my favor: Came into a small northeastern detachment that was only comprised of 35 cadets at the time of my enrollment. They have since grown to 50-70 depending on the time of year. The fact that I was a Computer Engineering (high demand) major definitely helped my "4 semester program completion" waiver get pushed through by HQ. Plus, my commissioning class is made up of 3.
The only thing that wasn't locked up off the bat was my DODMERB. I submitted the initial paperwork ASAP but the remedial process took my entire first semester to go through. HQ wanted to disenroll me for high arches, but after a few follow up visits and some x-rays with a DOD approved podiatrist, everything was cleared and I was granted an EA to attend FT during Summer08.
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pics? afis? memos from leadership?
i gotta see what this is all about!
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Does anyone have the actual AFI/AUABI that calls for saluting "recognizable officers" in PT gear when downrange? I can't actually find it anywhere manually or with the search function for some reason even though I'm sure it's already been posted...
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Thanks! Good stuff. I'm assuming they have separate boards for Fall/Spring grads in the same fiscal year?
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Most likely the same thing. As a Distinguished Graduate your cadre must submit a specific IMT Form recommending you. You're then racked and stacked and the top 10% of all ROTC commissionees earn the award. It's not a ribbon or anything else, it just goes into your permanent record. This past year there were over 2000 total graduates, so there were around 200 DG's.
So I understand that the award is given out based on a national racking and stacking but is it common/uncommon/impossible for dets with a small number of commissionees (less than 5) to be awarded a DG slot?
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First of all, careless driving is a worse offense than tailgating, so either your not remembering correctly or he definitely didn't "hook you up" b/c you were being cooperative.
In NJ, careless driving is only a 2 pt offense. Reckless driving is the bad one-- 5 points... which is the same number of points as Tailgating.
6strings: What I would do is call the Motor Vehicle Commission of your state and request a Driver History Abstract (I think that's what it's called) and see if both violations show up on there. If not, I would follow up with a call to the Police Dept/Municipal Court in the town you got the ticket in and get the complete record they have of your violations there. If the violations show up at either of these sources, I would recommend reporting them to your detachment.
Being a pilot applicant and going through my TS investigation, I was paranoid about these things so I did all this myself last year to make sure nothing was going to come up that might jeopardize my chances. Yeah, the driver histories cost some money (in NJ at least), but the $8 I spent was well worth my peace of mind.
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Countless amazing scenes from Band of Brothers... but here are two of my favs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS1qfIsINh8
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Are you sure it's plantar fasciitis? If so, stretch those calves-- it's generally something that you can fix on your own with regular stretching.
Here's the one that my physical trainer gave me that worked best for me... Do it as soon as you wake up in the morning since that's when you'll be feeling it the most. Also, do it routinely throughout the day or before physical activity.
1. Stand up straight
2. Place a binder or book underneath the balls of your feet so that your heels are still on the ground but the rest of your foot is elevated
3. Bend at the waist and try to touch your toes.
4. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds at a time.
Your goal is eventually to work up to putting a phonebook underneath your feet. You'll think this stretch is bullshit until you actually try it.
As for the DNF'ing... I dono what the Flight Doc will say! hah..
(Breaking) Military Clauses in Leases
in General Discussion
Posted
Thread reboot here...
Has anyone attempted to break a vehicle lease using the SCRA? It seems as though there are provisions written into the act for breaking vehicle leases but I was wondering if anyone had some personal experience with the process...